The car is packed for the Christmas holidays. Bags are loaded. The family is aiming to get on the road before the traffic builds.
Then someone calls for the dog.
Instead of running to the front door, Bailey the Cavoodle disappears into the laundry. When he is finally coaxed outside, he plants his feet beside the car. A few minutes later, he is in the back seat, panting hard. Before the family has even left the suburb, he is drooling across the seat cover and looking miserable.
For many Australian dog owners, that scene feels painfully familiar. And for many dogs, staying home is not part of the plan. They are coming along for the holiday, or travelling with their owners for an important reason, such as a vet visit or a grooming appointment.
Dog car anxiety is far more common than most people realise. Some dogs become frightened the moment they see the car. Others feel physically sick once the journey begins. Quite a few experience both, which can make car travel stressful for everyone involved.
The good news is that most dogs can learn to tolerate car travel. It rarely happens overnight, though. Most dogs improve gradually. The process works best when owners move at the dog’s pace. So, if you are trying to calm an anxious dog in the car, the solution usually starts with understanding why your dog is struggling in the first place.
This guide explains that. It also tells you how to distinguish anxiety from motion sickness. It then covers practical comfort tools and Australian car travel considerations, so your next holiday trip has a much better chance of being calm for both you and your dog.
Is it anxiety, motion sickness, or both?
This is the part most people miss. A dog can look “anxious” in the car, but the cause might be dog motion sickness. The treatment plan is not the same for every dog, so identifying the cause comes first.
Dog motion sickness is largely physical. The inner ear and vestibular system struggle with movement. Nausea follows. Many affected dogs lick their lips and drool excessively. Others become sick or unusually subdued. Puppies get dog car sickness more often than adults, as their inner ear systems are still developing.
Car anxiety is emotional and behavioural. For certain dogs, the anxiety starts before the journey and makes getting into the car a battle.
But both together are common. A puppy that felt sick in the car can grow up expecting that same awful feeling. That expectation becomes dog car anxiety. Many owners struggle because they tackle the anxiety while overlooking the nausea, or vice versa.
If you are wondering how to stop your dog vomiting on car journeys, this identification process is really the first step. And a quick self-check can help.
Start by watching what happens before the trip begins. If opening the car door starts the reaction, anxiety is likely involved. If the symptoms arrive after movement starts, dog car sickness is often the better explanation.
Why does my dog have car anxiety?
Most dogs are not “being difficult”. They are reacting to something they have learned, or something their body is doing.
One common cause is bad associations. If the car only ever leads to the groomer, it can become a predictor of stress. The same can happen with trips to a boarding kennel.
Another cause is a stressful first ride. A dog’s first trip is often the day they leave the breeder. It can also be the day they leave a shelter. For many dogs, that first journey is tied to a huge emotional transition.
Early nausea matters as well. Dogs that experienced dog motion sickness early can develop a strong “car equals yuck” expectation. Later, even the smell of the car can trigger their anxiety.
Some dogs simply have low exposure. If your dog only rides twice a year, the car never becomes normal. Without regular exposure, each journey can feel as strange as the last.
Then, there is sensory overload. Dogs experience the car differently from people. Rapid changes in sights and sounds can be a lot to process.
Finally, there is an unknown history. Rescue dogs may have car-related trauma you will never fully know.
Step 1: Desensitisation Training
If you want the single most reliable solution for dog car anxiety, it is desensitisation plus counterconditioning. That is a fancy way of saying “tiny steps” plus “good feelings”. This approach is also one of the most effective ways to calm an anxious dog in the car without relying on medication.
Plan for 3 to 6 weeks of short sessions. If you have an upcoming holiday, start now. Remember, if you feel rushed, your dog will feel it too. Less is often more. The sweet spot is a session that feels easy for your dog from start to finish.
The step-by-step plan
Days 1 to 3: parked car, engine off. Sit near the car with the doors open. Stay outside the car. Reward your dog for looking at the car, then for stepping closer. Use high-value treats. A few calm minutes are enough for the first sessions. If your dog will not approach, start further away. Reward calm attention. Then stop for the day.
Days 4 to 7: inside the car, engine off. Encourage your dog to climb in. If your dog is small, you may need to lift them gently. Once inside, reward, then hop out together. Aim for a couple of minutes. If the door closing triggers stress, practise that as its own separate step.
Days 8 to 14: engine on, still parked. Get your dog settled inside. Start the engine. Do not move. Reward calm behaviour. Turn the engine off, then get out. Build to a few minutes over several sessions.
Days 15 to 21: tiny drives. Drive to the end of the street, then back. Reward calm behaviour when you stop. End the session immediately after the success. A short win beats a long struggle. If your dog starts to panic, you have pushed too far.
Day 22 and onward: build up, plus better destinations. Gradually extend the time in the car. Keep trips ending at places your dog likes. A park can work. Mix in “nothing happens” drives as well. Drive around the block, then go home.
Key principles throughout:
Let your dog set the pace. If a step feels too difficult, go back and make it easier.
Focus on your successes. It is better to have short, positive experiences in the car than to drive long distances with your dog.
Let the car ‘predict’ good things. Go to the park and do other fun outings. When a trip to the vet is necessary, the impact won’t be as big.
If progress stalls, consider a force-free trainer. Many offer sessions specifically for dog car anxiety. Find one through the Pet Professional Guild Australia.
Step 2: Calming Tools and Comfort Items
Behavioural training comes first, but practical changes inside the car can help reduce stress along the way.
Travel beds and car seats
A major trigger for dog car anxiety is sliding. A dog that cannot stay balanced often becomes tense. What looks like anxiety may partly be a response to feeling physically unsafe. A defined space helps.
For many dogs, that is where a travel bed or seat bed earns its keep. A quality, properly secured car seat can often provide the stability that anxious dogs need.
If you have a small dog that wants to stay close, consider our portable console travel bed. It sits between the front seats and helps keep a tiny passenger contained. For owners looking for a portable pet travel bed, this style creates a comfortable space while keeping a small dog close. Also, being able to see their dog throughout the trip gives many owners greater peace of mind.
If your dog tends to slip around on the seat, a seat-bed style option can help. PSA’s secure car seat bed is designed to secure to the car seat belt system. That stable base can reduce fidgeting and stress during early training drives.
Many dogs settle more easily when familiar smells are present. Their own bedding or an item of your clothing can help create that sense of security.
Heartbeat Toys
For dogs that truly worry in the car, a heartbeat comfort toy can help. PSA’s Heartbeat Buddy is a plush comfort toy with a battery-powered heartbeat unit. For certain dogs, the gentle heartbeat becomes a comforting cue during car travel and other stressful situations. Pheromone Products
Some owners use pheromone products such as Adaptil. These release calming pheromones that many dogs find helpful. If you try a spray, apply it ahead of the trip. Give it time to settle before your dog climbs in.
Anxiety Wraps
Some owners also have success with anxiety wraps, such as a ThunderShirt. The gentle pressure can help certain dogs feel more secure. As with any calming tool, pay attention to how your individual dog responds.
Music
Dog-specific calming playlists can help some dogs. It sounds a bit gimmicky at first. Then you see a dog yawn and settle, and you change your mind.
A Doggie Backpack
Very small dogs often prefer a contained environment over an open seat. A dog backpack carrier can provide that extra sense of security.
For toy breeds and puppies, it can also serve as a practical carrier for small dogs during travel transitions. Remember that any carrier setup should still meet your state’s travel requirements.
What to avoid
Many owners immediately wonder about medication. In most cases, behavioural work should come first. If dog motion sickness or dog car anxiety remains severe, your vet can advise on suitable treatments. Avoid human anti-nausea products, as some can be dangerous for dogs.
Australian Dog Car Restraint Laws
When travelling with a dog in a car in Australia, this is the part to take seriously.
Road rules across Australia require restraint, and that links directly to distracted driving penalties. An unrestrained dog can cause problems when you steer or brake. Also, should there be a collision, a loose dog can be propelled into people or hard surfaces.
There are a few broadly accepted restraint approaches, though the details vary by state. So, for the harness requirements that apply in your state, always check your state transport authority for the latest guidance.
A crash-tested harness clipped to the seat belt system is a strong starting point for many dogs. When choosing a seat-belt restraint, look for systems that have been crash-tested for vehicle travel.
A travel crate secured in the cargo area can be appropriate, especially for dogs that settle better in a den-like space.
A barrier can limit access to the cabin, but it should not be treated as automatically compliant. Check your state transport authority guidance, because the wording and examples differ.
Utes require special care
Legal requirements often focus on tethering standards or secure containment. Welfare guidance is clearer. The RSPCA strongly discourages dogs travelling in open ute trays, even when a tether is used.
Also, be clear on what does not count:
A lead clipped to a collar can injure a dog in a crash.
A loose dog on a passenger’s lap is unsafe.
A crate that is not anchored can slide or tip.
If you are trying to do the right thing, start with crash safety. Cheap restraint gear can fail. If you can, look for crash-tested options. The Centre for Pet Safety has done testing that shows big differences in performance in different restraint gear products.
State-by-State Checklist (verify at publish time)
Please use this as a checklist, and not as absolute legal advice. [Check penalties at publish time]
NSW: Drivers must stay in proper control of the vehicle and must not drive with a dog in their lap. Such a dog can become a distraction or block the driver’s view. Recent NSW legal guidance reports a fine of $562 and 3 demerit points for driving with a dog on your lap. Dogs travelling on the open back of a ute must be restrained or enclosed so they cannot fall from the vehicle. NSW animal welfare law lists higher maximum penalties for unsafe carriage, so it is safest to check the current rules before travel.
VIC: Drivers must stay in proper control of the vehicle, and must not drive with a dog in the driver’s lap. A loose dog can also be a problem if it blocks the driver’s view or interferes with safe control. In Victoria, the relevant rule sets penalties of 5 penalty units for driving without proper control, driving with an animal on the driver’s lap, or driving without a clear view of the road.
QLD: Drivers must not travel with a dog on the driver’s lap, and dogs should not be able to interfere with safe control while the car is moving. Queensland guidance commonly points to the “proper control” rule for distraction risks, and legal summaries note a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units for the driver’s lap offence. With a penalty unit being valued at around $167, the court’s maximum fine can be over $3,000 as per the 1 July 2025 penalty-unit value.
Western Australia: It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 to cause or permit an animal to suffer. Transporting or restraining an animal so it is distressed or injured can lead to prosecution. Penalties: minimum fine $2,000 and maximum penalty $50,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
South Australia: Transporting an animal in a way that causes unnecessary suffering, or failing to take reasonable steps to secure or care for an animal in a vehicle, may be an offence under South Australian animal-welfare law. Penalties: aggravated offence — maximum $50,000 or imprisonment for up to 4 years; lesser offence — maximum $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Tasmania: Under Tasmania’s Road Rules 2019, a driver must not drive a vehicle if a person or animal is in the driver’s lap. The Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016 and the Animal Welfare Act 1993 require dogs to be transported in a manner appropriate to their age and size and, where on an open vehicle, to be restrained so they cannot fall or be injured. Tasmania Police commonly issue on-the-spot infringements for roaming or unrestrained dogs in cars (reported at around $159), but some legislative offences are expressed in penalty units rather than fixed dollar amounts.
ACT: Under the Australian Capital Territory’s Domestic Animals Act 2000, dogs must be transported so they cannot move about or be injured. Owners should restrain dogs with a harness or place them in a secure enclosure while the vehicle is moving. At the current ACT penalty-unit rate of AU$160 for individuals (AU$810 for corporations), a 10 penalty-unit fine would be AU$1,600, and larger penalties can run into the multiple thousands.
NT: Drivers must ensure animals do not distract them or obstruct safe control of the vehicle. Driving with a dog on the lap is prohibited, and a loose dog can block the driver’s view or interfere with controls. Current NT guidance lists a typical on-the-spot infringement of AU$500 and 3 demerit points for driver distraction or hand-held phone use, which police commonly apply when an animal is in the driver’s lap. Under the Animal Protection Act 2018, a strict-liability transport offence carries a maximum of 50 penalty units (about AU$9,250 at the 2024–25 rate). Failure to provide the minimum level of care attracts up to 200 penalty units or up to 2 years imprisonment (about AU$37,000). Cruelty offences carry a maximum of 300 penalty units or up to 3 years imprisonment (about AU$55,500). Aggravated cruelty carries a maximum of 500 penalty units or up to 5 years imprisonment (about AU$92,500).
Sizing the solution to your dog
A lot of frustration comes from using the wrong backseat setup for the dog you have. The “best” solution is the one your dog can actually settle into, plus the one you can use consistently.
Toy and very small dogs often do better when they feel contained. Our portable console travel bed is a good choice here.
Small to medium dogs often settle best in the back seat with a stable base. A properly fitted car seat setup can make longer journeys feel much more predictable for nervous dogs. You should also pair a properly fitted harness with a defined bed space. PSA’s Plaid Car Travel Bed gives your dog a stable footing and a clear boundary.
Larger dogs may need a cargo setup. A secured crate can be appropriate for some. A barrier can reduce distraction, but verify whether your state expects additional restraint.
Anxious dogs of any size often benefit from an extra comfort cue. Add a familiar blanket. Or, add the Heartbeat Buddy if your dog responds well to comfort toys.
